Floor maintenance tool with mop release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A floor maintenance too! including a handle and a tool coupled to the handle. The tool head includes a frame that supports a first engagement panel and a second engagement panel, with each panel disposed on an underside of the frame. The tool also includes a cable that extends between the tool head and the handle and that is coupled to the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the cable and is manipulatable to move at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel via the cable relative to the frame to selectively engage and disengage a mop pad relative to the tool head.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a floor maintenance tool, and more particularly, to a floor maintenance tool including a mechanism for attaching and detaching a cleaning or maintenance implement.

A wide variety of floor tools exist for many applications, including cleaning floor surfaces, polishing floor surfaces, applying material to floor surfaces, stripping material from floor surfaces, and other applications. For example, traditional single or double-sided flat mop floor tools use either pockets, tabs, or hook and loop fasteners to attach the mop to the frame and handle assembly. These floor tools, whether single-sided or double-sided, typically require the user to handle the mop at some point. Some existing floor tools have articulated tool heads to enable head movement in one or more degrees of freedom, such as about a longitudinal axis and/or a lateral axis of the tool head.

Although these tools have been known for many years, many existing tools are not ergonomically designed and encumber the process of attaching and detaching the mop, sheet, pad, or other cleaning or maintenance implement relative to the tool head. In many cases, the lack of attention to ergonomics in the design of floor tools results in greater time and effort needed by a user to perform a task, poorer work quality, and reduced user efficiency.

SUMMARY

Some constructions of the present invention provide a floor maintenance tool including a telescoping handle and a tool head that attaches a mop to the tool via an actuator mechanism on the handle without the need for a user to ever touch the mop or the tool head. The tool head has a frame and sliding pins positioned on the underside of the frame that facilitate attachment and detachment of the mop relative to the tool head. In particular, the tool head has angled sliding pins located adjacent a first edge of the frame, and straight pins located adjacent a second edge of the frame opposite the first edge. The angled sliding pins pick up and release the mop, and the straight pins stretch the mop substantially flat to provide even and consistent contact between the mop and a surface on which the tool will be used. The vertical pins also permit the trailing edge of the mop to “flop” down when the tool actuator mechanism is actuated to disengage the mop from the tool head. The tool head can then be lifted off the floor so that the mop can be disposed of (e.g., in a laundry bag on a cleaning trolley, or in the garbage) or flipped to double the surface area a mop can clean without the user touching the mop or the tool head. In some constructions, the tool head also has non-sliding vertical guides that are longer than the sliding angled pins and the vertical pins to support the frame and prevent direct contact of the pins with the surface to minimize the potential for damage to those pins.

In one construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a handle and a tool coupled to the handle. The tool head includes a frame that supports a first engagement panel and a second engagement panel, with each panel disposed on an underside of the frame. The tool also includes a cable that extends between the tool head and the handle and that is coupled to the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the cable and is manipulatable to move at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel via the cable relative to the frame to selectively engage and disengage a mop pad relative to the tool head.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including handle and a tool head that has a pivot joint to which the handle is attached. The tool head also has a frame that supports two engagement panels disposed on an underside of the frame. The tool further includes a cable that is coupled to at least one of the engagement panels to alter the position of the at least one engagement panel relative to the frame, and the tool head defines a cable routing system such that the cable extends through the pivot joint.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a tool head that has a frame, a tool release mechanism operatively coupled to the tool head to selectively engage and disengage a mop pad, and a handle that has a proximal end and distal end attached to the tool head. The handle also includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion that is coupled to an upper end of the first handle portion. A telescoping mechanism is positioned in the handle between the first handle portion and the second handle portion to permit lengthening and shortening of the handle along an axis between the proximal end and the distal end. The telescoping mechanism includes a rack and pinion that is operable to vary the telescoping mechanism between a first state in which the handle is inhibited from being lengthened or shortened, and a second state in which the handle can be lengthened or shortened.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a handle and a tool head that has a frame supporting an engagement panel disposed on an underside of the frame and a pivot joint to which the handle is attached to articulate the tool head relative to the handle. The pivot joint has a first axle and a second axle spaced from and axially aligned with the first axle to define a gap through which the cable is routed. The pivot joint further has a pin attaching the first axle to the second axle for cooperative movement, and the tool head defines a cable routing system extending through the pivot joint.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a handle and a tool head that is coupled to the handle and that has a frame supporting a first engagement panel with a first plurality of barbs and a second engagement panel with a second plurality of barbs. The frame further supports a third engagement panel that has a third plurality of barbs, and each of the first, second, and third engagement panels is disposed on an underside of the frame. At least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel and the corresponding barbs are movable relative to the tool head to attach and detach a mop pad relative to the tool head. The third plurality of barbs remains stationary relative to the tool head.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a handle and a tool head that is coupled to the handle and that has a frame supporting a first engagement panel and a second engagement panel each having a mop engagement member slidably coupled to an underside of the frame by a joint. At least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel is slidable along the underside of the frame to engage and disengage a mop pad relative to the tool head.

In another construction, the invention provides a floor maintenance tool including a handle that has a proximal end and a distal end and that defines an axis between the proximal end and the distal end. The tool also includes a tool head that is coupled to the handle and that has a frame supporting an engagement panel disposed on an underside of the frame. A cable holder is disposed in the handle, and a cable extends between the cable holder and the frame and is coupled to the engagement panel. The tool also includes an actuator mechanism that is coupled to the cable and that is manipulatable to move the engagement panel relative to the frame to selectively engage and disengage a mop pad relative to the tool head. A spring is disposed in the handle to bias the cable holder upward along the axis to maintain cable tension between the cable holder and the frame.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a maintenance tool including a handle and a tool head embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an upper portion of the floor maintenance tool of FIG. 1 including the handle and a telescoping mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the floor maintenance tool of FIG. 1 illustrating an upper portion of the handle and the telescoping mechanism taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the upper portion of the handle taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the telescoping mechanism in a first state.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the telescoping mechanism of the floor maintenance tool illustrating the telescoping mechanism in a second state.

FIG. 6 is a section view of an extension member of the telescoping mechanism taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the floor maintenance tool of FIG. 1 including the handle, the tool head, and a stem disposed between the handle and the tool head.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the lower portion of the floor maintenance tool of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the handle, the stem, and a cable holder of the tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the lower portion of the floor maintenance tool with the handle detached from the tool head.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tool head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a section view of the tool taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 7 illustrating mop engagement panels of the tool head in a first position and one construction of a cable assembly for the tool head.

FIG. 13 is a section view of the tool similar to FIG. 12 and illustrating the mop engagement panels in a second position.

FIG. 14 is a section view illustrating another construction of a cable assembly for the tool head.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an underside of the tool head of FIGS. 1 and 7 illustrating one construction of the mop engagement panels.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an underside of another construction of mop engagement panels for the tool head of FIGS. 1 and 7.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator mechanism of the floor maintenance tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a section view of the actuator mechanism of FIG. 1 taken along line 18-18.

FIG. 19 is another section view illustrating an actuator of the actuator mechanism being depressed to engage a mop.

FIG. 20 is another section view illustrating further movement of the actuator mechanism to engage the mop.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative telescoping mechanism for the maintenance tool.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of an upper portion of the maintenance tool of FIG. 21 including the handle and the telescoping mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a section view of the maintenance tool of FIG. 21 taken along line 23-23 and illustrating an upper portion of the handle and the telescoping mechanism.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a maintenance tool 10 that can be used to clean or mop a floor or other surface (e.g., stairs, walls, ceilings, windows, etc.). As used herein, the term “floor” is intended to include any surface that can be cleaned, and to surfaces to which the tool 10 applies a fluid (e.g., wax, polish, cleaning product). The tool 10 includes a handle 15 that has a first or proximal end and a second or distal end attached to a tool head 20. The handle 15 also includes a first handle portion 25 and a second handle portion 30 coupled to (e.g., partially overlapping, as shown) an upper end (i.e., toward the proximal end of the handle 15) of the first handle portion 25. An end handle portion 35 is coupled to (e.g., partially overlapping, as shown) an upper end of the second handle portion 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the end handle portion 35 has a ball-shaped end 40 and a tube section 45 extending from the ball-shaped end 40 toward the distal end. A mop 50 (e.g., dry or wet) is attached to the underside of the tool head 20. The mop 50 can take several forms, including a cleaning cloth, a sponge, a pad, or other cleaning material or implement.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a telescoping mechanism 55 is positioned in the handle 15 between the first handle portion 25 and the second handle portion 30 to permit lengthening and shortening of the handle 15 along an axis 60 between the proximal end and the distal end. More specifically, the telescoping mechanism 55 has a first state in which the handle 15 is inhibited from being lengthened or shortened, and a second state in which the handle 15 can be lengthened or shortened. The telescoping mechanism 55 can have many forms, two of which are described in detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescoping mechanism 55 includes an expansion member 65 coupled between the first handle portion 25 and the second handle portion 30, a pushbutton assembly 70 disposed in the end handle portion 35, and an elongated connector bar 75 interconnecting the expansion member 65 and the pushbutton assembly 70. As shown in FIG. 6, a passageway 80 extends completely through the expansion member 65 along the axis 60. With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the illustrated expansion member 65 has a handle support 85 disposed in the first handle portion 25 and a sleeve 90 joined to the handle support 85. The handle support 85 defines a cylindrically-shaped portion of the passageway 80 and has a shelf 95 that rests on or is otherwise supported by the end of the first handle portion 25. Generally, the passageway 80 is wider than the widest portion of the connector bar 75 to permit rotation of the bar 75 relative to the sleeve 90. Fasteners (not shown) attach the handle support 85 to the first handle portion 25 via holes (one shown) 100 extending into the handle support 85.

The illustrated sleeve 90 has a wall 105 that defines a conically-shaped portion of the passageway 80 and that has a substantially cylindrical outer surface 110. The sleeve 90 is further defined by a first or longitudinal cutout 115 extending completely through the wall 105 along the axis 60, and a second or annular cutout 120 extending laterally through the wall 105 such that only a portion of the wall 105 remains connected to the handle support 85. Stated another way, the annular cutout 120 extends through the wall 105 leaving only a chord of the wall 105 that is connected to the handle support 85 when viewed in cross-section. The portion of the wall 105 remaining connected to the handle support 85 defines a post about which the remainder of the wall 105 is supported or suspended. As illustrated, the annular cutout 120 extends approximately 330 degrees around the wall 105, although the annular cutout 120 can be shorter (e.g., less than 330 degrees) or longer (e.g., less than approximately 350 degrees).

With continued reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the sleeve 90 has a thread groove 125 extending radially around and downward within the passageway 80 (i.e., following the conically-shaped profile) from an upper end of the sleeve 90 toward the handle support 85. As illustrated, the thread groove 125 defines a right-hand thread. Also, the sleeve 90 has opposed recesses 130 and a plurality of channels 135 extending partially into the outer surface 110 of the wall 105 along the axis 60. The recesses 130 cooperate with elongated protrusions 140 in the second handle portion 30 to align the expansion member 65 with the second handle portion 30 in at least one rotational position of the expansion member 65 with the handle portion 30 about the axis 60.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a guide member 145 is coupled to an end of the second handle portion 30 over the joint between the first handle portion 25 and the second handle portion 30. The guide member 145 can be frictionally fit onto the end of the second handle portion 30, or adhered or otherwise fastened to the second handle portion 30. More specifically, the illustrated guide member 145 has a hollow cup-shaped interior that defines a shelf 150 to which the end of the second handle portion 30 is engaged. The illustrated guide member 145 has inwardly directed projections 155 that engage channels 160 in the second handle portion 30 opposite the elongated protrusions 140 to orient and align the guide member 145 relative to the second handle portion 30 in at least one rotational position about the axis 60. The guide member 145 also has interior, spaced apart wall portions 165 that extend from the shelf 150 inside the second handle portion 30. The wall portions 165 are disposed within the second handle portion 30 such that the end of the second handle portion 30 is sandwiched between the wall portions 165 and the body of the guide member 145. Also, the wall portions are shaped (e.g., each defined by a partial cylindrical shape) and oriented opposite each other to support the first handle portion 25 without much, if any, lateral wobble to provide a rigid joint structure for the handle 15.

FIGS. 1-5 show that the end handle portion 35 defines an open-ended chamber 170 accessible from opposite sides of the proximal end of the handle 15. The pushbutton assembly 70 is positioned in the chamber 170 and is operable by the user to manipulate the telescoping mechanism 55. As shown in FIG. 3, the end handle portion 35 defines a recess 175, and the pushbutton assembly 70 includes a gear 180 that has an alignment portion 185 disposed in the recess 175 to center the gear 180 in the end handle portion 35.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the gear 180 also has a body defined by a plurality of teeth 190 disposed circumferentially around the exterior of the gear 180, and an interior passageway 195 that attaches the gear 180 to the connector bar 75. The illustrated gear 180 can be generally defined as a pinion that cooperates with opposed gear buttons 200 of the pushbutton assembly 70 to define a rack and pinion mechanism. As illustrated, the interior passageway 195 has a square cross-section to match the square profile of the connector bar 75, although the interior passageway 195 can have other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., polygonal, circular, elliptical, oblong, etc.) that conform to and rigidly attach the gear 180 to the connector bar 75. For example, the gear 180 can be press fit onto the end of the connector bar 75, although other attachment mechanisms (e.g., fasteners, adhesive, welding, etc.) can be used.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the gear buttons 200 selectively engage the gear 180 to manipulate the telescoping mechanism 55 in response to user input. Each of the illustrated gear buttons 200 is defined by a substantially “L”-shaped body that has a curved exterior profile defining an engagement surface 205, and a rack portion 210 with a plurality of linearly-disposed teeth that mesh with the teeth 190. The gear buttons 200 are disposed in the chamber 170 and engaged with the gear 180 so that the gear buttons 200 cooperatively move linearly inward and outward within the chamber 170 without interfering with each other. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, opposed interior surfaces 215 of the gear buttons 200 are engageable with each other to limit the distance that the gear buttons 200 can move inward within the chamber 170.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pushbutton assembly 70 also includes a spring 220 (e.g., a coil spring) that is positioned between the connector bar 75 and the end handle portion 35 to bias the telescoping mechanism 55 to the first state. The spring 220 is coupled to the connector bar 75 at a location that is near, but spaced from, an upper end of the connector bar 75. The spring 220 has a coil portion 225 with a plurality of coils that define a spring rate and that wrap around the connector bar 75. The spring 220 also includes a first leg member 230 or attachment disposed on one end of the coil portion 225, and a second leg member 235 or attachment disposed on the other end of the coil portion 225. The first leg member 230 is wrapped around and generally conforms to the shape of the connector bar 75. As illustrated, the first leg member 230 is bent to form a square shaped end of the spring 220 that is engaged with the connector bar 75 within a notch 240 so that the spring 220 does not move relative to the connector bar 75 along the axis 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second leg member 235 extends outward from the coil portion 225 and is engaged with the end handle portion 35 within a spring channel 245 to hold the telescoping mechanism 55 in the first state absent a force applied to one or both of the gear buttons 200. As illustrated, the second leg member 235 prevents substantial unbiased rotation of the spring 220 with the connector bar 75. Due to the arrangement of the connector bar 75, the gear 180, and the spring 220, the spring 220 biases the gear buttons 200 outward so that the engagement surface 205 is substantially aligned with the outer profile of the end handle portion 35. With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the meshing between the teeth 190 and the rack portions 210 and the bias from the spring 220 limit the distance that the gear buttons 200 can move outward away from each other.

The connector bar 75 extends between the end handle portion 35 and the expansion member 65, and is coupled to the gear 180 so that the gear 180 and the connector bar 75 rotate with each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector bar 75 extends completely through the interior passageway 195 and is flush with the recess 175. As illustrated, the connector bar 75 has a square-shaped cross-section, although the connector bar 75 can have other polygonal or curved (e.g., circular, elliptical, oblong, etc.) cross-sections.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a cone nut or tapered screw 250 that is coupled to the connector bar 75 at a location that is near, but spaced from, a lower end of the connector bar 75. The tapered screw 250 is defined by an inverted, truncated conically-shaped body (as viewed in FIG. 3) and has an interior passageway 255 that is shaped (e.g., square) to conform to the profile of the connector bar 75 so that the tapered screw 250 is slidably attached and non-rotatable relative to the connector bar 75. As illustrated, the tapered screw 250 has a right-hand thread 260 extending radially around and downward along the outside of the body (i.e., following the conically-shaped profile of the passageway 80). The thread 260 is engageable and disengageable relative to the thread groove 125 in response to movement of the connector bar 75 to expand the sleeve 90 and to permit the sleeve 90 to contract, respectively.

The expansion member 65 is resilient in that the sleeve 90 expands (corresponding to the first state of the telescoping mechanism 55) and contracts (corresponding to the second state of the telescoping mechanism 55) in response to rotation of the connector bar 75 via operation of the pushbutton assembly 70 to permit telescoping the handle 15 and to thereafter secure the handle 15 when the tool 10 reaches a desired length. When the tapered screw 250 is substantially seated in the sleeve 90, the taper of the screw 250 pushes outward on the conical portion of the passageway 80 to unfurl or uncurl the sleeve 90 by virtue of the first and second cutouts 115, 120 and the vertically extending channels 135 on the expansion member 65. Likewise, when the tapered screw 250 is at least partially unseated from the sleeve 90, the taper of the screw 250 no longer pushes outward on the passageway 80. As a result, the sleeve 90 remained substantially furled or curled based on the resiliency of the material forming the sleeve 90.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 7-10, 17, and 18, a tool release mechanism 265 is positioned between the handle 15 and the tool head 20 to attach and detach a mop 50 relative to the tool head 20. The tool release mechanism 265 includes a drawbar member 270 positioned substantially within the first handle portion 25, and an actuator mechanism 275 coupled to the handle 15 and operatively attached to an upper end of the drawbar member 270. The drawbar member 270 is defined by an elongated body (e.g., illustrated with a cross-shaped cross-section) that extends between the actuator mechanism 275 and a stem 280 extending upward from the tool head 20 so that the distal end of the handle 15 is detachably coupled to the tool head 20.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 17, the drawbar member 270 has opposed longitudinally extending slots 285 that are disposed adjacent an upper end of the drawbar member 270 and that align with opposed elongated first apertures 290 of the first handle portion 25. FIGS. 8-10 show that the drawbar member 270 also has spaced apart, resilient extensions 295 extending from a spring seat 300 disposed adjacent a lower end of the drawbar member 270. The illustrated extensions 295 are elongated and define hook elements 305 that engage and disengage the stem 280 to attach and detach the handle 15 relative to the tool head 20 as described in detail below. Tabs 310 (one shown) extend outward from the base of each extension 295 near the spring seat 300 to support a spring 315 (e.g., a coil spring) that is positioned over the extensions 295. As shown in FIG. 8, the spring 315 is sandwiched between the spring seat 300 and a top of the stem 280.

FIG. 17-20 show that the actuator mechanism 275 is attached to the handle 15 adjacent the middle of the first handle portion 25. Generally, the actuator mechanism 275 is spaced from the end handle portion 35 so that a user can grasp the end handle portion 35 with one hand while operating the actuator mechanism 275 with the other hand.

The actuator mechanism 275 includes a housing 320 that is engaged with the first handle portion 25 and that is defined by a first handle member 325 a and a second handle member 325 b that is attached to the first handle member 325 a. Each of the illustrated first and second handle members 325 a. 325 b defines one half of the housing 320 such that, cooperatively, the first and second handle members 325 a. 325 b sandwich or encapsulate a portion of the first handle portion 25 within the housing 320. Each of the first and second handle members 325 a, 325 b has a hollow neck portion 330 a, 330 b that is integrally connected to a bulbous portion 335 a, 335 b disposed above the neck portion 330 a, 330 b (i.e., closer to the proximal end of the handle 15).

Each neck portion 330 a, 330 b has an inwardly directed projection 340 a, 340 b that extends through the opposed elongated first apertures 290 of the first handle portion 25 and that is disposed in one recess 350 of the drawbar member 270 to attach the housing 320 to the first handle portion 25. The projection 340 a, 340 b of the first handle member 325 a has threaded holes 355 that align with unthreaded holes 345 in the second handle member 325 b. Fasteners 360 extend through the unthreaded holes 345 and the drawbar member 270, and then into the threaded holes 355 to it attach the first and second handle members 325 a, 325 b to each other and to the drawbar member 270.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, additional fasteners 365 attach the bulbous portions 335 a. 335 b to each other. The bulbous portions 335 a, 335 b of the first and second handle members 325 a. 325 b cooperatively define an annular cavity 370 that houses a snap ring holder 375, a snap ring 380, and an actuator 385. The cavity 370 is partially defined by an upper cavity portion that is bounded by a first annular flange 390 located adjacent (e.g., flush with) the top of the handle members, and a second annular flange 395 spaced below the first annular flange 390. The cavity 370 is further defined by a lower cavity portion that is conically tapered inward and that is defined by an annular ledge 400 located at a bottom of the cavity 370. The annular ledge 400 is partially recessed into the wall defining the bulbous portions 335 a, 335 b.

As illustrated, the snap ring holder 375 is defined by an annular body and includes an annular rim 405 that has a substantially planar ledge 410 and a sidewall 415 that tapers downward and inward from the rim 405 toward the first handle portion 25. Fastener tabs 420 are circumferentially spaced around the annular body to fasten (e.g. using rivets or other fasteners, welding, etc.) the snap ring holder 375 to the first handle portion 25. The illustrated snap ring holder 375 has three fastener tabs 420 circumferentially spaced by about 60° from each other, although fewer or more tabs can be used and at larger or smaller angular distances.

With continued reference to FIGS. 17-20, the snap ring 380 is disposed around the first handle portion 25 and is supported on the annular ledge 400 located at the bottom of the cavity 370. The snap ring 380 has a base 425 that is nested in the annular ledge 400 so that movement of the housing 320 also moves the snap ring 380. The snap ring 380 also has a plurality of engagement members 430 that extend upward from and are spaced circumferentially around the base 425. The distal end of each engagement member 430 defines a hook member or catch 435 that has a curved outer surface 440 and a conically-shaped inner surface 445. A resilient O-ring 450 (or another similar resilient member) is positioned around and engaged with distal ends of the engagement members 430 within corresponding O-ring channels 455 to inwardly bias the distal ends toward the first handle portion 25. In other words, the O-ring 450 encapsulates and resists outward movement of the free ends of the engagement members 430. Although six engagement members 430 are illustrated in FIGS. 17-20, fewer or more than six engagement members 430 are possible and considered herein.

The illustrated actuator 385 is defined by a mushroom-shaped body that has a hole 460 through which the first handle portion 25 extends. As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the hole 460 is defined a plurality of annular projections 465 vertically separated from each other by annular channels 470 to reduce friction when the actuator 385 moves relative to the first handle portion 25. The actuator 385 has a cap portion 475 and a column 480 disposed below the cap portion 475. The cap portion 475 is positioned above the housing 320, and the column 480 is encapsulated by the housing 320 when the actuator mechanism 275 is coupled to the handle 15. The cap portion 475 and the bulbous portions 335 a, 335 b substantially match each other to provide a smooth, ergonomic outer profile for the actuator mechanism 275. The underside of the actuator 385 is generally shaped to accommodate the first annular flange 390 when the actuator 385 is pressed downward, as detailed below.

The illustrated column 480 is defined by a cylindrical body that is at least partially encapsulated by the bulbous portions 335 a, 335 b. The column 480 has a tapered end wall 485 and an annular projection 490 extending around the cylindrical body between the end wall 485 and the joint between the cap portion 475 and the column 480. The end wall 485 is engageable with the snap ring 380 to disengage the catches 435 from the rim 405 of the snap ring holder 375. When the actuator mechanism 275 is assembled onto the handle 15, the annular projection 490 is disposed below the first annular flange 390 and cooperates with the second annular flange 395 and the upper cavity portion to support an actuator spring 495 (e.g., coil spring) that biases the actuator 385 upward along the axis 60 relative to the housing 320.

Referring to FIGS. 7-11, the stem 280 is defined by a hollow shaft 500 that has resilient pushbutton members 505 that are defined by elongated, U-shaped channels 510 (one shown) disposed in the shaft 500. Each pushbutton member 505 has a protrusion 515 that is connected to the remainder of the shaft 500 by a bridge section 520, and the protrusions 515 flex inward and outward in response to corresponding forces acting on the protrusions 515. With reference to FIG. 8, the pushbutton members 505 are engageable by the drawbar member 270 so that the protrusions 515 protrude outward through second apertures 525 in the first handle portion 25 to attach the handle 15 to the stem 280. With reference to FIG. 10, the protrusions 515 can be engaged by a user to disengage the drawbar member 270 from the protrusions 515 to detach the handle 15 from the stem 280.

The stem 280 also includes an attachment member 530 extending from a lower end of the shaft 500 and pivotably coupled to the tool head 20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the attachment member 530 has an end 535 with an aperture 540 extending laterally through the attachment member 530, and a channel 542 generally aligned with the axis 60 and communicating with the hollow of the shaft 500. As illustrated, the aperture 540 is keyed (two keys are shown), and the end 535 defines a split end. Alternatively, the end 535 of the attachment member 530 can be formed without the split.

FIGS. 7, 8, 10, 11-15 illustrate that the tool head 20 includes a frame 545, a handle pivot assembly 550 on a top surface 555 of the frame 545, and a mop attachment mechanism 560 that has engagement panels 565 coupled to an underside of the frame 545. As shown in FIG. 7, the frame 545 has a first or lateral axis 570 extending lengthwise along the frame 545 and a second or cross axis 575 extending widthwise along the frame 545. With reference to FIG. 11, the top surface 555 has two pairs of holes 580 located adjacent the lateral ends of the frame 545, and a centrally located hole or opening 585 over which the handle pivot assembly 550 is positioned. End caps 590 are attached to the lateral ends of the frame 545 within the holes 580 to enclose the sides of the frame 545 and the engagement panels 565. More specifically, each of the illustrated end caps 590 includes a pair of resilient tabs 595 that are engageable and disengageable with one of the pairs of holes 580 to permit attachment and detachment of the end caps 590 relative to the frame 545. Each end cap 590 also includes an alignment key 600 that is aligned with a corresponding key slot 605 in the frame 545 to further support and align the end caps 590 relative to the frame 545. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the alignment key 600 and the key slot 605 can be reversed (i.e., the end cap 590 can include the key slot 605 and the frame 645 can include the key 600). Also, the end caps 590 can be attached to the frame 545 in other ways.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10-14, the handle pivot assembly 550 includes a base 610 and a pivot body 615 that is coupled to the base 610 and that partially defines a first pivot joint or axle 620 and at a second pivot joint or axle 625 to which the stem 280 is attached to provide two degrees of freedom for the handle 15 (i.e., rotation about the lateral axis 570 and the cross axis 575). The base 610 is positioned over the opening 585 and includes first support arms 630 extending upward from the base 610 to pivotably support the pivot body 615. As illustrated, each first support arm 630 has an aperture 635 that is axially aligned with the aperture 635 of the other support arm 630 along the lateral axis 570.

A hole 640 extends through the base 610 between the first support arms 630. The hole 640 is in communication with the opening 585 in the frame 545, and guide pins 645 are inserted into the base 610 from adjacent the backside of the frame 545 (i.e., the illustrated guide pins 645 are inserted into the base 610 along the cross axis 575) so that the guide pins 645 are disposed adjacent the perimeter of the hole 640. The illustrated base 610 also has a platform 650 that can be used to, among other things, support marketing indicia or other indicia (e.g., company information, symbols, etc.).

The illustrated pivot body 615 has a cylindrical portion that cooperates with the support arms to define the first axle 620. Alternatively, the pivot body 615 can be defined by other shapes permitting pivotal movement relative to the support arms. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cylindrical portion defines a first passageway 655 that aligns with the apertures 635 in the first support arms 630 in the direction of the cross axis 575, and a second passageway 660 that intersects the first passageway 655 and that is aligned with the hole 640 in the base 610.

As shown in FIGS. 11-14, first joint halves or bushings 665 extend through the support arms 630 into the first passageway 655 to pivotably couple the pivot body 615 to the base 610 about a first pivot axis 670 (e.g., parallel to the lateral axis 570). The illustrated first bushings 665 are keyed into the first passageway 655, and the head of each first bushing 665 is countersunk into the corresponding support arm 630. As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, each first bushing 665 extends into the pivot body 615 so that the inner ends of the first bushings 665 are spaced a distance from each other (e.g., 1-25 millimeters) to avoid blocking the second passageway 660. In some constructions, the first bushings 665 can be formed as one unitary, integral bushing with a slot or other passageway disposed at or near the middle of the unitary bushing.

As illustrated, the first bushings 665 are identical, although non-identical first bushings can be used. First pins 675 extend completely through corresponding spaced apart first passages 680 in the first bushings 665 to secure the first bushings 665 to each other. As shown in FIG. 10, the first pins 675 are separated from each other to define a small gap (e.g., 1-10 millimeters). While two pins 675 are illustrated, one or more than two pins 675 can be used to attach the first bushings 665 to each other. Also, other attachment mechanisms can be used in place of the pins 675.

The pivot body 615 also includes upwardly extending second support arms 685 that are connected to (e.g., integrally formed with) the cylindrical portion and that cooperate with the end 535 and second joint halves or bushings 690 to define the second axle 625. As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11, the second support arms 685 are spaced from each other along the cross axis 575 so that the split end 535 of the stem 280 is disposed between the second support arms 685. In this manner, the channel 542 in the attachment member 530 is generally aligned with the second passageway 660 in the pivot body 615. Alternatively, the end 535 of the attachment member 530 can receive and be rotatably pinned to a single arm 615, whether the end 535 has a split or not.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10-14, each second support arm 685 defines an aperture 695 that is aligned with the aperture 540 in the attachment member 530, and the second bushings 690 extend through the second support arms 685 into the attachment member 530 to pivotably couple the stem 280 to the base 610 about a second pivot axis 700 (e.g., parallel to the cross axis 575 in the maintenance tool orientation shown in FIG. 7). Each second bushing 690 is keyed into a respective aperture 695 and has a head that is countersunk into the corresponding second support arm 685. As shown in FIG. 10, each second bushing 690 extends through one second support arm 685 and one half of the split end 535 so that the inner ends of the second bushings 690 are spaced a distance from each other (e.g., 1-25 millimeters) to avoid blocking the channel 542 in the split end 535. In some constructions, the second bushings 690 can be formed as a unitary, integral bushing with a slot or other passageway disposed near the middle of the unitary bushing.

As illustrated, the second bushings 690 are identical, although non-identical second bushings 690 can be used. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, second pins 705 extend through corresponding spaced apart second passages 710 in the second bushings 690 to secure the second bushings 690 to each other. Like the first pins 675, the second pins 705 are separated from each other to define a gap (e.g., 1-10 millimeters). While two pins 705 are illustrated, one or more than two pins 705 can be used to attach the second bushings 690 to each other. Also, other attachment mechanisms can be used in place of the second pins 705. Furthermore, other constructions of the tool 10 can include a single axle (e.g., a ball joint) to provide multiple degrees of freedom between the handle 15 and the tool head 20 while remaining within the scope of the invention described herein.

FIGS. 8, 10, 11, and 13-15 illustrate one construction of the mop attachment mechanism 560 including first and second engagement panels 565 a, 565 b that slide along the lateral axis 570 on the underside of the frame 545 to attach and detach the mop 50 relative to the tool head 20 when the actuator mechanism 275 is engaged. As shown in FIG. 11, each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b is identical (although illustrated as being rotated 180° relative to each other) and has elongated projections 715 extending along the lateral axis 570 that engage correspondingly-shaped grooves 720 on the underside of the frame 545. As illustrated, the projections 715 have opposed lips or protruding edges that are disposed in corresponding slots in the grooves 720 when the engagement panels 565 a, 565 b are attached to the frame 545. Each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b can have one or more projections 715 engaged with corresponding grooves 720 in the frame 545. Also, some constructions of the tool head 20 include only one engagement panel 565 a, 565 b that moves relative to the other engagement panel 565 a, 565 b (i.e., one of the engagement panels 565 a, 565 b is immovable relative to the frame 545). Other constructions can include projections 715 defined by non-elongated head pins extending outward from the panels 565 a, 565 b and engaged with the frame 545 within the grooves 720. Moreover, the projections 715 can be part of the frame 545 and the grooves 720 can be part of the panels 565 a, 565 b, or both the frame 545 and the panels 565 a, 565 b can include both projections 715 and grooves 720. Furthermore, other male-female and non-male/female attachments can be incorporated into the tool 10 to attach the panels 565 a, 565 b to the frame 545.

With reference to FIG. 15, the engagement panels 565 a, 565 b include cooperative overlapping portions 725 that guide sliding movement of one engagement panel 565 a, 565 b along the lateral axis 570 relative to the other engagement panel 565 a, 565 b. Each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b also includes one or more mop engagement sections 730 that are slidably disposed within slots 285 in the engagement panel 565 a, 565 b. As shown in FIG. 15, each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b has three mop engagement sections 730 that are dovetailed into the frame 545, although fewer or more than three engagement sections can be incorporated into the engagement panels 565 a, 565 b. Also, the engagement sections can be attached to the frame 545 in other ways (e.g., t-shaped groove and projection, pin and groove connections, adhesive or cohesive bonding material, or other modes of joinery between the sections 730 and the panels 565 a, 565 b, etc.), with or without fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 10, and 13-15, each mop engagement section 730 has a plate that supports a first plurality of pins 740 (e.g., cylindrical projections, tapered projections such as barbs, hooks, spurs, etc.) disposed along and near one lengthwise edge of the frame 545, and a second plurality of pins 745 (e.g., cylindrical projections, tapered projections such as barbs, hooks, spurs, etc.) disposed along and near the other lengthwise edge. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first plurality of pins 740 for each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b are angled generally downward from the plate 735 and outward along the lateral axis 570 (i.e., toward the end cap 590 for the corresponding engagement panel 565 a, 565 b). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the angled pins 740 are straight when the tool head 20 is viewed in a cross-section along the cross axis 575. Referring to FIGS. 8, 10, 13, and 14, the second plurality of pins 745 are straight when viewed in any cross-section (i.e., they extend straight from their respective engagement panels 565 a, 565 b).

As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 15, one of the mop engagement sections 730 on each engagement panel 565 a, 565 b also includes glide pins 750 that extend outward from the plate 735. The glide pins 750 are straight pins that are slightly longer (e.g., by 1 millimeter) than the first and second pluralities of pins 740, 745 to prevent the pins 740, 745 from resting on the floor when a mop is not attached to the frame 545. Generally, the mop engagement sections 730 are removable and replaceable so that if one or more pins 740, 745, 750 are damaged, a replacement section can be attached to the tool head 20 without having to replace the entire tool head 20.

FIG. 16 illustrates another construction of a mop attachment mechanism 755 for the tool head 20. Except as described below, the mop attachment mechanism 755 is the same as the mop attachment mechanism 560 described with regard to FIGS. 8, 10, and 13-15, with like elements given the same reference numerals.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the mop attachment mechanism 755 includes opposed sliding engagement panels 760 a, 760 b each occupying one half of a forward portion of the frame 545, and a fixed engagement panel 765 extending along the entire length of the frame 545 (i.e., along the lateral axis 570) behind the sliding engagement panels 760 a, 760 b. In other constructions, the fixed engagement panel 765 can be located in other positions along the frame 545, and/or multiple fixed engagement panels 765 can be used. The sliding engagement panels 760 a, 760 b and the fixed engagement panel 765 cooperate to attach and detach the mop 50 relative to the tool head 20 when the actuator mechanism 275 is engaged. Each engagement panel 760 a, 760 b, 765, whether sliding or fixed, can be removably attached to the frame 545 for replacement or repair, as desired.

The sliding engagement panels 760 a, 760 b include cooperative overlapping portions 770 that guide sliding movement of one engagement panel 760 a, 760 b along the lateral axis 570 relative to the other engagement panel 760 a, 760 b. Each sliding engagement panel 760 a, 760 b also includes a plurality of mop engagement sections 775 that are slidably disposed within slots 285 (e.g., dovetailed) in the corresponding engagement panel 760 a, 760 b, although the sections 775 can be attached to the panels 760 a, 760 b in any suitable manner—including those described above in connection with FIG. 16. As illustrated, each mop engagement section 775 supports the first plurality of pins 740 occupying substantially the entire plate 735. The fixed engagement panel 765 supports the second plurality of pins 745. Also, the glide pins 750 illustrated in FIG. 16 are disposed adjacent corners of the end caps 590 rather than on one or more of the engagement panels 760 a, 760 b as illustrated in FIG. 15. As will be appreciated, the tool head 20 described herein can be designed to support other arrangements of engagement panels and corresponding engagement sections on the frame 545.

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate a cable assembly that interconnects the sliding engagement panels 565, 760 (of either mop attachment mechanism 560, 755) and the actuator mechanism 275 via the drawbar member 270. With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the cable assembly includes a cable holder 780 disposed in the stem 280 and aligned within the hollow shaft 500 via a cooperative keying arrangement 782. The keying arrangement 782 also permits sliding of the cable holder 780 relative to the stem 280.

With reference to FIG. 9, the cable holder 780 is defined by a substantially cylindrical body and has a wall 785 that defines a central passageway 790 accessible from a first or upper end of the cable holder 780 body. As illustrated, the central passageway 790 is elongated in one direction relative to the other such that the passageway 790 is oblong in cross-section. Also, the central passageway 790 terminates at a cable attachment portion 795 that is located adjacent a second or lower end of the cable holder 780.

The wall 785 is shaped such that the end that has the central passageway 790 defines a pedestal and the remaining portion of the wall 785 tapers from a narrow neck area to a wider opposite end that has the cable attachment portion 795. Also, the central passageway 790 is partially exposed and the pedestal and neck area of the cable holder 780 cooperatively define a receiver 800 to which the hook elements 305 can be attached after the extensions 295 of the drawbar member 270 are inserted into the central passageway 790.

The cable assembly illustrated with regard to FIGS. 8-13 has two cables 805 a, 805 b (e.g., wire, braided or unbraided wires, rope, or other flexible material, hereinafter collectively referred to as a “cable”) that interconnect the cable holder 780 and the engagement panels 565. The illustrated cable attachment portion 795 is defined by a jaw that has an arduous (e.g., a zig-zag patterned) jaw channel 810 such that the second end of the cable holder 780 is split apart to receive one end of each cable. A fastener 812 extends into a hole 813 in the cable attachment portion 795 and across the jaw channel 810 to draw the two sides of the cable attachment portion 795 together, thus securing the ends of the cables 805 a, 805 b to the cable holder 780 within the jaw channel 810. However, any other cable securement device or method can instead be used to secure the cable 805 a, 805 b to the cable holder 780.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 10-13, the cables 805 a, 805 b are routed together from the cable holder 780 through the shaft 500, through the channel 542 in the attachment member 530 and between the second bushings 690, through the passageway in the pivot body 615 between the first bushings 665, and through the hole 640 in the base 610 before terminating at a panel bias mechanism 815 that is positioned between and attached to the sliding engagement panels 565. With regard to the first and second axles 620, 625, the cables 805 a, 805 b are trapped or surrounded (e.g., encapsulated) by the first and second bushings 690, 665, respectively, within the gap between the pins 675, 705, which act as guides for the cables 805 a, 805 b.

The illustrated panel bias mechanism 815 has opposed spring holders 820 a, 820 b, one each rigidly attached to a corresponding engagement panel 565 via fasteners 825. Stated another way, each of the spring holders 820 a, 820 b moves with the engagement panel 565 to which the spring holder 820 a, 820 b is attached. As illustrated, each spring holder 820 a, 820 b defines a shelf that is engaged with a corresponding shelf on the engagement panel 565.

Each illustrated spring holder 820 a, 820 b has a cable post 830 that is positioned between adjacent spring holders 820 a, 820 b and around which one of the cables 805 a, 805 b is routed and fastened. While the illustrated cables 805 a, 805 b are secured to the cable posts 830 via cable clips or ties 835, the cables 805 a, 805 b can be attached to the panel bias mechanism 815 (or directly to the engagement panels 565) using any other suitable attachment mechanism. Springs 840 are disposed in and encapsulated by the spring holders 820 a, 820 b to bias the spring holders 820 a, 820 b away from each other. The bias associated with the springs 840 also biases the engagement panels 565 away from each other due to the rigid attachment of the spring holders 820 a, 820 b to the engagement panels 565. The bias can be accomplished in other ways (e.g., using one or more springs, bands, etc., positioned in the frame, etc.), and/or by using a different bias mechanism other than the panel bias mechanism 815 is illustrated in FIGS. 11-14.

FIG. 14 shows another construction of the cable assembly including a single cable 805 that interconnects the cable holder 780 and the engagement panels 565. Like the two-cable construction, the cable 805 is routed from the cable holder 780 through the shaft 500, through the channel 542 in the attachment member 530 and between the second bushings 690, through the passageway in the pivot body 615 between the first bushings 665, and through the hole 640 in the base 610 before terminating at the panel bias mechanism 815. The single-cable construction illustrated with regard to FIG. 14 differs from the two-cable construction in the way that the cable 805 attaches to the panel bias mechanism 815. More specifically, in the single-cable construction of FIG. 14, the cable 805 wraps around one of the guide pins 645, around one of the cable posts 830, and is secured to the other cable post 830. Also, while the cables 805 a, 805 b in the two-cable construction are equally pulled and released via movement of the cable holder 780 (i.e., each cable 805 a. 805 b acts on one of the cable posts 830), the cable 805 in the single-cable construction squeezes the cable posts 830 together. In other words, the single cable 805 acts on both cable posts 830 via a single force-transmitting element.

FIGS. 21-23 illustrate another telescoping mechanism 855 that can be used with the tool 10 within the handle 15 between the first and second handle portions 25, 30. Except as described below, the telescoping mechanism 855 is the same as the telescoping mechanism 55 described with regard to FIGS. 1-6, and like elements are given the same reference numerals.

The telescoping mechanism 855 includes the expansion member 65 coupled between the first handle portion 25 and the second handle portion 30, an end handle portion 860 that is coupled to (e.g., partially overlapping, as shown) the upper end of the second handle portion 30, and an elongated connector bar 865. The connector bar 865 interconnects the expansion member 65 and the end handle portion 860. The telescoping mechanism 855 is positioned in the handle 15 between the first handle portion 25 and the second handle portion 30 to permit lengthening and shortening of the handle 15 along the axis 60 between the proximal end and the distal end. Like the telescoping mechanism 55, the telescoping mechanism 855 has a first state in which the handle 15 is inhibited from being lengthened or shortened, and a second state in which the handle 15 can be lengthened or shortened.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the end handle portion 860 has a tube section 870 and a balloon-shaped end portion 875 coupled to an end of the tube section 870. The tube section 870 is hollow and has an annular throat 880 located adjacent the upper end (i.e., where the ball-shaped end 870 attaches to the tube section 865). The throat 880 is spaced a short distance from the upper end of the tube section 870 and defines an inverted shelf 885. Projections 890 extend inward from the wall of the tube section 870 between the upper end and the throat 880. The projections 890 are circumferentially spaced apart from each other with slots 895 disposed between the projections 890. As illustrated, the lower ends of the slots 895 taper radially inward and downward (i.e., away from the upper end of the tube section 870) to define ramps 900 that terminate at the inverted shelf 885.

The illustrated end portion 875 has an upper ball-shaped section 905 with a decorative sleeve 910 that extends around the perimeter of the ball-shaped section 905. As shown in FIG. 23, the end portion 875 also has a blind passage 915 that extends vertically into the end portion 875 from adjacent the underside of the end portion 875, and a neck section 920 extending away from the ball-shaped section 905 (i.e., downward along the axis 60 as viewed in FIG. 23). The illustrated blind passage 915 is square-shaped in cross-section to match the cross-sectional shape of the connector bar 865. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the connector bar 865 is coupled to the end handle portion 860 within the blind passage 915. As shown, the connector bar 865 is secured in place within the end handle portion 860 using a pin 925 extending through the connector bar 865 and the neck section 920.

The neck section 920 has a plurality of circumferentially-arranged and spaced apart fingers 930 that cooperatively define a resilient split rivet feature 935 for attaching the end portion 875 to the tube section 870. In particular, the distal ends of the fingers 930 are engaged with the inverted shelf 885 to permit rotation of the end portion 875 relative to the tube section 870 while inhibiting removal of the end portion 875 from the tube section 870. The connector bar 865 extends between the expansion member 65 and the end handle portion 860 so that the end portion 875 and the connector bar 865 rotate with each other. The tapered screw 250 is coupled to the connector bar 865 at a location that is near, but spaced from, a lower end of the connector bar 865. As described above, the thread 260 is engageable and disengageable relative to the thread groove 125 in response to movement of the connector bar 865 to expand the sleeve 90 and to permit the sleeve 90 to contract, respectively.

The expansion member 65 is resilient in that the sleeve 90 expands (corresponding to the first state of the telescoping mechanism 55) and contracts (corresponding to the second state of the telescoping mechanism 55) in response to rotation of the connector bar 865 via rotation of the end portion 875 to permit telescoping the handle 15 and to thereafter secure the handle 15 when the tool 10 reaches a desired length. When the tapered screw 250 is substantially seated in the sleeve 90, the taper of the screw 250 pushes outward on the conical portion of the passageway 80 to unfurl, uncurl, or otherwise expand the sleeve 90 by virtue of the first and second cutouts 115, 120 and the vertically extending channels 135 on the expansion member 65. Likewise, when the tapered screw 250 is at least partially unseated from the sleeve 90, the taper of the screw 250 no longer pushes outward on the passageway 80. As a result, the sleeve 90 remained substantially furled, curled, or otherwise contracted based on the resiliency of the material forming the sleeve 90.

The illustrated floor maintenance tool 10 is assembled by attaching the actuator mechanism 275 and either the telescoping mechanism 55 or the telescoping mechanism 855 to the handle 15, and assembling the tool head 20 for attachment to the handle 15. The telescoping mechanism 55 is installed in the handle 15 by inserting the handle support 85 of the expansion member 65 into the upper end of the first handle portion 25 and attaching the handle support 85 to the first handle portion 25. Also, the guide member 145 is attached to the end of the second handle portion 30, and the second handle portion 30 is then inserted over the upper end of the first handle portion 25.

To connect the second handle portion 30 with the end handle portion 35, the gear 180 can be attached to the upper end of the bar 75 before the bar 75 is inserted into the end handle portion 35 so that the bar and the gear 180 are partially nested in the recess 175. With the bar and gear 180 inserted into the end handle portion 35, the gear buttons 200 are inserted into the chamber 170 to mesh with the teeth 190 on the gear 180. As shown in FIG. 4, the gear buttons 200 are inserted so that only the distal-most linear teeth of the gear buttons 200 are meshed with the gear 180 upon initial assembly. In this manner, the curved exterior profile of each gear 180 button substantially conforms to the curved outer profile of the end handle portion 35.

After the gear 180 and the gear buttons 200 are meshed, the spring 220 is passed upward along the connector bar 75 so that the first leg member 230 is placed near the notch 240 in the connector bar 75. The spring 220 is then further pressed upward along the axis 60 so that the first leg member 230 is engaged with the connector bar 75 within the notch 240 and the second leg member 235 is disposed in the spring channel 245. The tapered screw 250 is then slid onto the lower end of the bar 75. The tube section 45 of the end handle portion 35 is then positioned over the upper end of the second handle portion 30 with the connector bar 75 so that the connector bar 75 extends into the first handle portion 25 through the expansion member 65. The end handle portion 35 can be adhered or otherwise fixed to the second handle portion 30 in any suitable manner. The tapered screw 250 is tightly threaded into the sleeve 90 by rotating the first handle portion 25 relative to the second handle portion 30 so that the sleeve 90 expands outward and presses on the inner side of the second handle portion 30 to limit telescoping of the handle 15.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a user can shorten or lengthen the handle 15 by pressing one or both of the gear buttons 200 inward to vary the telescoping mechanism 55 from the first state to the second state. Pressure on the gear buttons 200 rotates the gear 180 (counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), which rotates the connector bar 75 by virtue of the fixed attachment between the connector bar 75 into the gear 180. Counter-clockwise rotation of the connector bar 75 partially unseats the tapered screw 250 from the sleeve 90, relieving the pressure that was applied to the inside of the second handle portion 30. With less pressure applied to the second handle portion 30, the user can slide the first handle portion 25 relative to the second handle portion 30 in either direction along the axis 60 until a desired length of the handle 15 has been achieved. The tapered screw 250 remains partially engaged with the sleeve 90 and moves with the first handle portion 25 along the bar 75 when the first handle portion 25 slides relative to the second handle portion 30. At that point, the user releases the gear buttons 200 to return the telescoping mechanism 55 to the first state. In particular, the gear buttons 200 are biased outward by the spring 220 acting on the connector bar 75, which in turn rotates the gear 180 and the connector bar 75 clockwise. Clockwise rotation of the connector bar 75 re-seats the tapered screw 250 substantially completely in the sleeve 90, which increases the pressure of the sleeve 90 on the second handle portion 30 to limit movement of the first handle portion 25 relative to the second handle portion 30.

Except as described below, installation of the telescoping mechanism 855 is the same as the installation of the telescoping mechanism 55 described with regard to FIGS. 1-6. With reference to FIGS. 21-23, the telescoping mechanism 855 is installed in the handle 15 by inserting the handle support 85 of the expansion member 65 into the upper end of the first handle portion 25 and attaching the handle support 85 to the first handle portion 25. Also, the guide member 145 is attached to the end of the second handle portion 30, and the second handle portion 30 is then inserted over the upper end of the first handle portion 25.

To connect the first handle portion 25 with the end handle portion 860, the connector bar 865 is positioned within the blind passage of the end portion 875 and is secured to the end handle portion 860 via the pin 925. The end portion 875 is attached to the tube section 870 after the connector bar 865 is attached to the end portion 875. To connect the end portion 875 to the tube section 870, the fingers 930 are inserted into the slots 895 and are guided into engagement with the inverted shelf 885 by the projections 890. The ramps 900 bias or flex the fingers 930 inward a small amount so that the split rivet feature 935 passes over and engages the inverted shelf 885. The second handle portion 30 is then inserted into the tube section 870 so that the upper end of the second handle portion 30 abuts or is located adjacent the inverted shelf 885. The tapered screw 250 is then slid onto the lower end of the bar 865. The tapered screw 250 is tightly threaded into the sleeve 90 by rotating the connector bar 865 via rotation of the end portion 875 so that the sleeve 90 expands outward and presses on the inner side of the second handle portion 30 to limit telescoping of the handle 15.

With reference to FIGS. 21-23, a user can shorten or lengthen the handle 15 by rotating the end portion 875 in a counter-clockwise direction to vary the telescoping mechanism 855 from the first state to the second state. Counter-clockwise rotation of the end portion 875 also rotates the connector bar 865 by virtue of the fixed attachment between the connector bar 865 and the end handle portion 860. Rotation of the connector bar 865 partially unseats the tapered screw 250 from the sleeve 90, relieving the pressure that was applied to the inside of the second handle portion 30. With less pressure applied to the second handle portion 30, the user can slide the first handle portion 25 relative to the second handle portion 30 in either direction along the axis 60 until a desired length of the handle 15 has been achieved. The tapered screw 250 remains partially engaged with the sleeve 90 and moves with the first handle portion 25 along the bar 75 when the first handle portion 25 slides relative to the second handle portion 30. At that point, the user rotates the end portion 875 in a clockwise direction to return the telescoping mechanism 855 to the first state by virtue of corresponding clockwise movement of the connector bar 865. Clockwise movement of the connector bar 865 re-seats the tapered screw 250 substantially completely in the sleeve 90, which increases the pressure of the sleeve 90 on the second handle portion 30 to limit movement of the first handle portion 25 relative to the second handle portion 30.

The tool release mechanism 265 is attached to the handle 15 before the handle 15 is connected to the tool head 20. The drawbar member 270 is inserted into the first handle portion 25 from the lower end so that the slots 285 align with the opposed first apertures 290 in the first handle portion 25. The actuator 385, the actuator spring 495, the snap ring holder 375, the O-ring 450, and the snap ring 380 (generally in that order) are also positioned around the first handle portion 25 by inserting these components over the first handle portion 25 (before or after the drawbar member 270 is inserted into the first handle portion 25) from adjacent a lower end of the first handle portion 25. In other constructions, the components can be positioned around the first handle portion 25 from adjacent the upper end, with a slight rearrangement in the order of attachment.

With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the snap ring holder 375 is attached to the first handle portion 25 using fasteners, and the snap ring 380 is positioned adjacent the snap ring holder 375 so that the catches 435 rest on the annular rim 405 of the snap ring holder 375. The O-ring 450 is then moved downward to engage the O-ring channels 455 in the engagement members 430. The O-ring 450 biases the engagement members 430 toward the first handle portion 25 so that the snap ring 380 remains engaged with the snap ring holder 375 absent a downward force from the actuator 385.

The first and second handle members 325 a, 325 b are then coupled to the first handle portion 25 so that the projections 340 a, 340 b extend through the elongated first apertures 290 into the slots 285. The fasteners secure the two handle members together around the first handle portion 25. As shown in FIG. 18, when the housing is attached to the first handle portion 25, the base 425 of the snap ring 380 is received in the recess of the housing 320 and the first annular flange 390 is positioned above the annular projection 490 of the actuator 385. Also, the second annular flange 395 is positioned below the actuator spring 495 to sandwich the actuator spring 495 between the annular projection 490 and the second annular flange 395. In this manner, the actuator 385 is biased upward relative to the housing 320 by the actuator spring 495, and the actuator 385 is movable downward so that the tapered end wall 485 can engage the snap ring 380.

As described below, the illustrated tool head 20 is assembled before the handle 15 is attached to the stem 280, although the handle 15 may be attached to the stem 280 before the tool head 20 is assembled. With reference to FIG. 11, the engagement panels 565 are attached to the underside of the frame 545. After the engagement panels 565 are generally in place on the frame 545, the panel bias mechanism 815 is attached to the engagement panels 565 through the opening 585 in the frame 545. Each spring holder 820 a, 820 b is attached to the corresponding engagement panel 565 a, 565 b, and the springs 840 are encapsulated by the opposed spring holders 820 a, 820 b (e.g., moving the engagement panels 565 slightly outward and inserting the springs 840 into the spring holders 820 a, 820 b, or by compressing the springs 840 so that they can be placed in the spring holders 820 a. 820 b without moving the engagement panels 565). The end caps 590 are snapped into place to encapsulate the lateral edges of the frame 545 and limit outward movement of the engagement panels 565 due to the bias of the springs 840 and the panel bias mechanism 815.

Regardless of the quantity of cables 805 in the cable assembly, each cable 805 can be routed to the panel bias mechanism 815 in the same way. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 12, and 13, the cables 805 a, 805 b are connected between the stem 280 and the engagement panels 565 by first securing one end of each cable 805 a, 805 b to the cable holder 780, and then routing the cables 805 a, 805 b to the panel bias mechanism 815. More specifically, the cables 805 a, 805 b are routed through the stem 280 and are disposed within the jaw defined by the cable attachment portion 795. With the cables 805 a, 805 b arranged within the jaw, the cable holder 780 is placed inside the stem 280 and a fastener is attached to the jaw (e.g., through the stem 280) to secure the cables 805 a, 805 b to the cable holder 780. With the cable holder 780 in place, the cables 805 a, 805 b are then routed through the channel 542 in the attachment member 530, through the second passageway 660 in the pivot body 615, and through the hole 640 in the base 610. The cables 805 a, 805 b are then wrapped around and secured to the cable posts 830 before the handle pivot assembly 550 is attached to the frame 545. In the single cable construction, the cable 805 is wrapped around one cable post 830 and attached to the other cable post 830 before the handle pivot assembly 550 is attached to the frame 545.

The base 610 of the handle pivot assembly 550 is secured to the top surface 555 of the frame 545 so that the cables 805 a, 805 b pass through the hole 640. The pivot body 615 is aligned with the first support arms 630 so that the first bushings 665 can be inserted through the apertures 635 into the first passageway 655. The first pins 675 are then inserted into the first bushings 665 to secure the halves together. The second bushings 690 can be coupled between the stem 280 and the second support arms 685 before or after the pivot body 615 is attached to the first support arms 630. The attachment member 530 is positioned between the second support arms 685 so that the aperture 540 of the split end 535 is aligned with the aperture and the second support arms 685. The second bushings 690 are then inserted through the second support arms 685 and the split end 535 to define the second axle 625, and the second pins 705 are inserted into the second bushings 690 to secure the halves together.

With reference to FIGS. 8, 10, 12, and 13, the cables 805 a, 805 b are routed between the first and second bushings 690 and the first and second pins 705 before the cables 805 a. 805 b separate from each other to attach to respective cable posts 830. As shown in FIG. 14, the single cable is routed around one of the guide pins 645, around one of the cable posts 830, and is attached to the other cable post 830.

The distal end of the handle 15 is connected to the tool head 20 by engaging the extensions 295 with the stem 280. With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the spring 315 is attached to the spring seat 300 and the hook elements 305 are attached to the lower side of the receiver 800 from within the central passageway 790. In this position, the resilient pushbutton members 505 are pressed outward through the second apertures 525 by the resiliently biased hook elements 305, and as a result, the cable holder 780 moves with the drawbar member 270. The lower end of the spring 315 is engaged with the top of the cable holder 780 to bias the drawbar member 270 generally upward along the axis 60 to hold the drawbar member 270 in engagement with the cable holder 780. To detach the handle 15 from the stem 280, a user presses the pushbutton members 505 inward to disengage the hook elements 305 from the receiver 800 so that the drawbar member 270 can be removed from the central passageway 790. In this manner, the handle 15 can be swapped for a different handle 15 (e.g., a handle with or without the telescoping mechanisms 55, 855, or with or without the actuator mechanism 275, etc.). Alternatively, the handle 15 can be detached from the tool head 20 for use with another tool head 20 (e.g., a different head size, shape, or type).

The actuator mechanism 275, the mop attachment mechanism 560, and the cable assembly 805 cooperatively define a first or engaged state of the tool head 20 and a second or disengaged or state of the tool head 20. While the springs 840 disposed between the spring holders 820 a, 820 b bias the sliding engagement panels 565 outward along the lateral axis 570, the position of the actuator mechanism 275 relative to the first handle portion 25 controls whether the tool head 20 is in the engaged state or the disengaged state.

Several different mops can be attached to the same tool head 20 without a user having to manipulate the mop itself. FIG. 1 shows one construction of the mop 50 that is attached to the tool head 20, whereas FIGS. 7, 8, and 10-16 illustrate the floor maintenance tool 10 without a mop attached to the tool head 20. FIG. 13 illustrates the tool head 20 in the disengaged state. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 18, the engagement panels 565 are biased inward toward a center of the tool head 20 by the actuator mechanism 275. In particular, FIG. 18 shows that the housing is in a first position located adjacent the upper side of the first apertures 290 in the first handle portion 25 such that the snap ring 380 is engaged with the rim 405 of the snap ring holder 375. The drawbar member 270 moves with the housing, so when the housing is in the first position, the drawbar member 270 holds the cable holder 780 in a relative upward position within the stem 280 as shown in FIG. 13. In this position, the cable holder 780 pulls on the cable(s), which in turn draws the spring holders 820 a, 820 b closer together against the bias of the springs 840 due to the cable connection between the cable holder 780 and the panel bias mechanism.

To attach a desired mop 50 to the tool 10, a user places the tool head 20 in the disengaged state over the mop 50 so that the engagement panels 565 rest on the mop 50. While it is preferred that the frame 545 is generally aligned with the mop 50 (e.g., the lateral axis 570 is generally aligned with the length of the mop 50 and the cross axis 575 is generally aligned with the width of the mop 50), a specific orientation of the frame 545 relative to the mop 50 is not necessary to attach the mop 50 to the tool head 20.

Because the snap ring 380 moves with the housing, the snap ring 380 must be disengaged from the planar ledge 410 to vary the tool head 20 from the disengaged state to the engaged state to attach the mop 50 to the tool. With reference to FIGS. 12 and 19, the user disengages the snap ring 380 from the planar ledge 410 by pressing down on the actuator 385 (in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 19) against the upward bias of the spring. In particular, the end wall 485 of the actuator 385 engages the conically-shaped inner surfaces 445 of the catches 435 and forces the engagement members 430 outward against the bias of the O-ring 450. The catches 435 are disengaged from the snap ring holder 375 when the actuator 385 is moved downward. FIG. 19 illustrates the positions of the housing and the snap ring 380 relative to the snap ring holder 375 at the moment the catches 435 are disengaged from the planar ledge 410.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 20, when the catches 435 are disengaged from the planar ledge 410, the housing automatically moves downward due to the outward bias of the springs 840 on the spring holders 820 a, 820 b. More specifically, because the housing is no longer held up by the snap ring 380, the cable pulls on the cable holder 780, which in turn pulls on the drawbar member 270 and the housing. FIG. 20 illustrates the housing in a second, downward position adjacent the lower side of the first apertures 290 in the first handle portion 25 when the snap ring 380 is disengaged from the planar ledge 410. In the second position, the snap ring 380 is engaged with the tapered sidewall 415 of the snap ring holder 375. Also, the actuator spring 495 biases the actuator 385 upward relative to the housing 320 after the user releases the actuator 385.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 15, when the housing moves to the second position, the engagement panels 565 slide outward along the underside of the frame 545, moving the angled pins 740 so that the angled pins 740 engage the mop 50 to secure the mop 50 to the tool head 20. At the same time, the straight pins 745 stretch the mop 50 to pull the mop 50 taut and keep pressure on the backside of the mop 50. Generally, the glide pins 750 are separated from the floor when the mop 50 is attached to the tool head 20, regardless of whether the glide pins 750 are on the engagement panels 565 or positioned to the side of the mop 50 on the end caps 590.

The mop 50 can be detached from the tool head 20 (e.g., to discard the mop 50, to store the mop 50, to use the other side of the mop 50, etc.) by actuating the actuator mechanism 275 to release the angled pins 740 from the mop 50. The tool head 20 can be on or above the floor when it is desired to detach the mop 50. More specifically, the user grasps the housing and pulls up along the axis 60 slightly to force the snap ring 380 over the rim 405 so that the catches 435 engage the planar ledge 410. While the actuator spring 495 between the housing 320 and the actuator 385 mildly resists upward motion of the housing, the housing moves upward such that the first annular flange 390 contacts the underside of the actuator 385. As the snap ring 380 engages the planar ledge 410, the bias of the actuator spring 495 no longer acts on the housing and instead pushes on the actuator 385 so that the actuator 385 returns to its initial position.

By pulling up on the housing, the drawbar member 270 and the cable holder 780 are also pulled upward, which in turn pulls on the cable(s) 805 and the spring holders 820 a, 820 b against their bias and slides the engagement panels 565 inward from the lateral edges of the frame 545. At this point, the angled pins 740 are substantially released from the mop 50 so that the tool head 20 can be separated from the mop 50, or so that the mop 50 can be separated from the tool head 20 (e.g., when the tool head 20 is lifted off the floor).

When the tool head 20 is in the engaged state, the angled pins 740 hold a substantial portion of the mop 50 in engagement with the tool head 20 even when the tool head 20 is lifted off the floor. The straight pins 745 can be located adjacent one longitudinal edge of the frame 545 (e.g., the backside or the front side) so that a portion of the mop 50 (e.g., the rear third of the mop 50) drops down away from the frame 545. The partially engaged, partially disengaged mop 50 assists the user with accurately discarding the mop 50 and returning the mop 50 to storage for future use without requiring that the user touch the mop 50 or the tool head 20. For example, when it is desired to return the mop 50 to storage, the user can lift the tool 10 off the floor and place the dropped portion of the mop 50 in storage (e.g., in a bin) before releasing the mop 50 from the angled pins 740 by actuating the actuator mechanism 275.

Also, when the mop 50 is a double-sided mop, the user can flip the mop 50 to use the unused side (i.e., the side directly engaged with the frame 545) without having to reach down and touch the mop 50 or the tool head 20. More specifically, the user lifts the tool head 20 off the floor a short distance and pulls back slightly so that the dropped portion of the mop 50 curls on the floor. Curling the mop 50 in this manner partially engages the previously unused side with the floor. The user then actuates the actuating mechanism to release the angled pins 740 from the mop 50 so that the remaining portion of the mop 50 engages the floor. The user can then re-attach the mop 50 to the tool head 20 using the same process described above for initially attaching the mop 50 to the tool head 20.

The tool 10 utilizes a cable routing system 280 that guides one or more cables 805 from the frame 545 through the first and second axles 620, 625 of the tool 10 to permit attachment and removal of a mop 50 relative to the tool head 20. Also, the first and second axles 620, 625 permit handle 15 and tool head 20 manipulation by a user without interfering with movement of the cable(s).

The sliding engagement panels 565 move away and toward each other to selectively engage and disengage a mop 50 without requiring the user to touch the mop 50 or reach down to manipulate the tool head 20. In some constructions, one of the engagement panels 565 can slide or otherwise move relative to the other engagement panel 565. While the angled pins 740 hold the mop 50 on the tool head 20, the stationary or movable straight pins 745 keep the entire mop 50 in engagement with the floor so that a relatively large surface area can be mopped. More generally, the engagement panels 565 on the underside of the frame 545, as well as the engagement sections themselves, can be installed, moved, and replaced to achieve a desired pattern of pins 740, 745, 750 on the underside of the frame 545 that are the most effective in attaching the mop 50 to the tool head 20. Such customization may be desirable based on the type of floor to be maintained.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A floor maintenance tool comprising: a) a handle; b) a tool head coupled to the handle and comprising a frame supporting a first engagement panel and a second engagement panel each disposed on an underside of the frame; c) a cable extending between the tool head and the handle, the cable coupled to the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel; and d) an actuator mechanism coupled to the cable and manipulatable to move at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel via the cable relative to the frame to selectively engage and disengage a mop pad relative to the tool head.
 2. The floor maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the first engagement panel comprises a first plurality of pins and the second engagement panel comprises a second plurality of pins, and wherein the first plurality of pins are angled away from the second plurality of pins.
 3. The floor maintenance tool of claim 2, wherein at least some of the pins comprise barbs.
 4. The floor maintenance tool of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of pins and the second plurality of pins are movable relative to the frame, and wherein the frame further comprises a third plurality of pins that remain stationary relative to the frame.
 5. The floor maintenance tool of claim 4, wherein the third plurality of pins are oriented substantially vertically.
 6. The floor maintenance tool of claim 2, wherein the first plurality of pins is attached to a base slidably mated to the first engagement panel.
 7. The floor maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the tool head is coupled to a distal end of the handle, and wherein the actuator mechanism is positioned on the handle approximately midway between a proximal end of the handle and the distal end.
 8. The floor maintenance tool of claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism is operatively coupled to the cable and comprises a housing movable relative to the handle to induce movement of the at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel relative to the frame between an mop pad engaged state and a mop pad disengaged state.
 9. The floor maintenance tool of claim 8, wherein the actuator mechanism further comprises an engagement member movable with the housing and engageable with a ledge disposed on the handle to hold the at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel in the disengaged state.
 10. The floor maintenance tool of claim 8, wherein the actuator mechanism further comprises an actuator disposed on the handle and movable relative to the housing to disengage the engagement member from the ledge to vary the at least one of the first engagement panel and the second engagement panel to the engaged state.
 11. The floor maintenance tool of claim 10, wherein the engagement member and the actuator are at least partially encapsulated by the housing.
 12. The floor maintenance tool of claim 10, wherein the actuator is biased in a first direction along an axis defined by the handle, and the actuator is movable downward to disengage the engagement member from the ledge.
 13. The floor maintenance tool of claim 8, further comprising a drawbar interconnecting the actuator mechanism and the tool head.
 14. A floor maintenance tool comprising: a) a handle; b) a tool head comprising a pivot joint to which the handle is attached, the tool head further comprising a frame supporting two engagement panels disposed on an underside of the frame; and c) a cable coupled to at least one of the engagement panels to alter the position of the at least one engagement panel relative to the frame, wherein the tool head defines a cable routing system such that the cable extends through the pivot joint.
 15. The floor maintenance tool of claim 14, wherein the pivot joint comprises a first pivot and a second pivot, and wherein the cable extends through both pivots.
 16. The floor maintenance tool of claim 15, wherein the first pivot defines a first axis and the second pivot defines a second axis that is skewed relative to the first axis to provide two degrees of freedom for the handle.
 17. The floor maintenance tool of claim 15, wherein each of the first pivot and the second pivot comprises a first axle and a second axle spaced from and axially aligned with the first axle to route the cable through the pivot joint, and a set of pins that attach each first axle to the corresponding second axle, and wherein the cable extends through gaps defined between the pins of each set.
 18. The floor maintenance tool of claim 14, wherein the pivot joint comprises a pivotable bushing that substantially surrounds the cable.
 19. The floor maintenance tool of claim 14, wherein the pivot joint comprises a first axle and a second axle spaced from and axially aligned with the first axle to route the cable through the pivot joint.
 20. The floor maintenance tool of claim 19, wherein the pivot joint further comprises a pin extending through the first axle and the second axle to secure the first and second axles for dependent rotation.
 21. The floor maintenance tool of claim 19, wherein the pivot joint further comprises two pins extending through the first axle and the second axle to secure the first and second axles for dependent rotation, and wherein the cable extends through a gap between the pins. 22-61. (canceled) 